Jim Henson Co. Back in Consumer Products Biz

The Jim Henson Co. is re-launching its consumer products division and has appointed Melissa Segal to the newly created position of senior VP of global consumer products. Segal joins the company from Brandolution, a licensing and product development agency which she founded in 2006. For the past year, Brandolution has represented Henson, helping to build the licensing program for its hit new animated PBS preschool series Sid the Science Kid, a co-production with Los Angeles-based KCET.

The first Sid the Science Kid products are expected to hit retail this fall. Other properties being handled by Segal’s new division include Dinosaur Train, a new animated preschool series set to premiere on PBS KIDS this fall, and The Skrumps, an animated show based on the successful collectible toy line.

Segal’s internal group will also manage licensing for Henson’s catalog fantasy brands including Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal and Farscape, as well as the TV special Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas and other classic properties when the company’s current administration agreement with HIT Ent. expires early this year. Central to that effort will be the 1980s puppet series Fraggle Rock, a fan favorite being revived with new film and television projects.

Segal has more than 18 years of experience as a consumer products and brand marketing specialist. During eight years at Disney Consumer Products, she worked on initiatives for such brands as Winnie the Pooh, 101 Dalmatians and Toy Story, rising to the position of VP of the U.S. toy business. Following her tenure at Disney, she served as senior VP for Mommy and Me, helping build the start-up prior to its acquisition by DIC Ent. Segal’s Brandolution agency will be renamed Brandolution JHC and will become a new banner of The Jim Henson Co. that will continue to represent Segal’s third-party licensing properties.